Clothes weighing door for washing machines



y 1951 w. A. JOHNSTON 2,554,672

CLOTHES WEIGHING DOOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed May 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l \O 68 2 s5 3 66 o Y (1/ F|G.l. l

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36 FIG 4 35 34 L 8| INVENTOR William A. Johnston ATTORNEY y 1951 w. A. JOHNSTON 2,554,672

CLOTHES WEIGHING DOOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed May 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IO3-I 104 x g INVENTOR William A. Johnston 5 Q2 6514? t x ATTORNEY Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT i 'FICE CLOTHES WEIGHING DOOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning batches of fabrics of different weights and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to adjust the amount of cleaning fluid admitted to a clothes washing machine automatically in accordance with the weight of the fabrics to be admitted to the washer for treatment.

This invention, while applicable to various forms of washers, is particularly adaptable to domestic washers in which variable quantities of fabrics are cleaned at different times, as is well known. In accordance with the invention, means adjustable to a plurality of stations for admitting different quantities of fluid to the washer is provided, and a fabric weighing mechanism is connected to the fluid admitting means for adjusting the latter to its various stations dependent upon the weight of fabrics deposited upon the weighting mechanism. Preferably, the door of the washer when moved to a horizontal open position isemployed as a platform for r ceiving the fabrics prior to the insertion of the fabrics in the washer. The door in such position is connected to the water admission mechanism and adjusts the latter to its various stations as the door is deflected downwardly under the weight of the fabrics. The water admission mechanism is biased to the station thereof wherein a minimum quantity of fluid is admitted to the washer and is actuated by the door to other stations in opposition to the bias for in-- creasing the amount of fluid admitted to the washer.

In order to maintain the fluid admission means in its adjusted station after the fabrics are removed from the door, a latching device is em-- ployed. This device is released automatically and preferably at the end of the washing cycle or, at least, after the final step of admitting fluid to the washer is completed. Accordingly, the water admission means is moved to its station wherein the minimum quantity of fluid is admitted to the'washer at the conclusion of each washing cycle.

The foregoing and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a clothes washing machine of the automatically cycled type and constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and having the adjustable water admission control mechanism shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a section'taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 and Fig. i is a diagram of the electrical connections for the various electrical control and translating devices associated with the washer shown in Fig 1.

Reference will now be had to the drawings wherein the invention shown applied to a domestic clothes washing and centrifuging machine of the so-called horizontal basket type. As shown, this machine includes an outer casing structure Hi having an access opening I formed in a front wall 52 thereof. Suitably supported Within the casing iii in any well known manner is a tub structure l3 connected, as shown at it's, to the outer casing peripherally of the access opening H. A generally cylindrical basket i5 is arranged within the tub structure it and is provide with an access opening it which registers with the access opening ii of the casing. The basket 15 includes a side wall structure ii which is perforate, substantially, throughout its extent; a number of the perforations being indicated at it. The basket is further provided with a plurality of vanes, indicated at I9, which extend radial- 1y inwardly from the side wall of the basket for the agitation of the fabrics contained therein during washing periods.

Washing water at a suitable temperature is delivered to the tub [3 through a conduit 2! having a solenoid operated valve 22 connected therein. The conduit 2i terminates in a nozzle 23 so positioned as to direct the water inwardly of the basket IS. The construction of the solenoid operated valve 22 is such that, when energized, water is delivered through the nozzle 23 and conversely, when deenergized, the flow of water to the nozzle 23 is terminated.

The basket structure it? is supported and rotated by a shaft 24 which is driven at a relatively low speed of, for example, 5-3 B. P. M. for wash ing and at a relatively high speed of, for example, 500 R. P. M. for centrifuging by means of an adjustable two speed mechanism generally indicated at 25. The latter is adjusted for low and high speed operation by means of an electronagnet 26 which, when deenergized, effects low speed op eration of the shaft 24- and, when energized, high speed operation of the shaft 24 is carried out. As two speed mechanism of the type shown at 25 are well understood in the art, further description of their construction and operation is deemed unnecessary. A suitable mechanism of the type shown at 25 is disclosed in the patent of Hilbert E. Edwards, No. 2,284,047 granted May 26, 1942. The two speed mechanism 25 is driven by a sheave 21 which is belted, as shown at 28, to an electric motor 29.

The motor 29 also serves to drive a pump, indicated at 3! and having a flexible inlet conduit 32 connected to a sump structure 33 formed at the bottom of the tub E3. The pump 3! translates water through a flexible discharge conduit 34 which extends upwardly to a region elevated with respect to the highest level of water which is maintained in the tub 13. From the foregoing, it will be noted that during washing periods, the conduit 32, the pump 3| and that portion of the discharge conduit 34 which is below the level of water in the tub are filled with fluid. At this time, of course, the pump 31 is inactive. Discharge of water from the tub is effected by initiating operation of the pump 3| which then functions to discharge all water through the conduit 34 to a suitable point of discharge. As shown, the pump 3| is supported by a pivot 35 and is driven by a friction wheel or roller 36. During periods of operation of the pump 3i, the

roller 36 engages a second friction roller 31 driven i by the motor 29. The pump is suitably biased, as by gravity, to the position thereof shown in the drawing where the rollers 36 and 37 are separated. A solenoid 38 is employed for tilting the pump 3| to the position wherein the rollers 36 and 3'! are engaged for the operation of the pump. Preferably, a tension spring 39 is interposed between the pump and the electric magnet 38 in order to provide the proper pressure on the rollers 36 and 31.

The amount of water which is admitted to the tub I3 for a washing operation is under control of a pressure operated switch structure generally indicated at 4| and shown enlarged in Fig. 2. The switch structure 4| includes a casing 42 having an over center switch 43 supported therein and actuated by a flexible wall 44 preferably formed of a resilient substance such as, for example, rubber. As shown, the casing 42 is provided with an end wall 45 defining an air space 46 which communicates with an airbell, indicated at 41, by means of a tube 48. As shown, the airbell is carried by the sump 33 and includes a wall 49 which in conjunction with a wall 5| forming a part of the sump defines a chamber for water and air and indicated at 52. An opening 53 is provided in the wall 5| for the passage of water between the chamber 52 and the sump 33, further reference to which is made hereinafter.

The switch structure 43 includes an adjustable contact 54 and a movable contact 55. The latter is carried by a resilient leaf 56, secured to a fixed terminal, indicated at '51, which leaf 56 is inherently biased clockwise about its terminal 5! at all times. A bowed leaf, indicated at 58, is connected to the leaf 56 adjacent contact and is also provided with a knife edge 59 at its lower end which bears against a fixed abutment 63. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the bowed leaf 58 is under compression and imparts snap action to the leaf 56 as the latter passes through the plane of the knife edge 59. In the open position of the switch structure 43 the upper end of the leaf 56 abuts an insulated stop 6| which may be adjustably carried by the switch casing 42, as shown. It will be understood that the switch structure 43 is disclosed by way of example and that other suitable forms may be employed. The leaf 56 is actuated by a pin 52 which extends through a wall member 63 and engages the resilient wall member 44.

The operation of the pressure operated switch structure 4| will now be described. During the filling of the tub l3 with water, the solenoid valve 22 is energized in series with the contacts 54 and 55 as pointed out hereinafter. As the water rises in the sump 33 and tub I3, flow of Water through the opening 53 to the airbell chamber 52 is effected. As the water rises above the top of the opening 53, air in the chamber 41, the tube 48 and the air space 46 is compressed, the pressure of the air being a function of the head of water in the tub IS. The progressively increasing pressure in the air space 46 biases the diaphragm 44, the pin 62 and the leaf 56 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. This increasing pressure opposes the inherent bias of the leaf 56 and the turning moment of the bowed leaf 58. The pin 62 progressively flexes the leaf 56 to the left until the leaf 56 passes through the plane of the knife edge 59 whereupon the moment of the bowed leaf 58 reverses and the contacts 54 and 55 are rapidly separated. The stop member 6|, of course, positions the leaf 56 in the open position of the switch 43. Opening of the contacts 54 and 55 is effected when the head of water in the tub i3 is at a predetermined level.

In order to vary the head of water in the tub IS, the contact 54 is adjustable. In the position shown in Fig. 2, the contact 54 is positioned to provide a minimum head of water in the tub l3. By moving the contact 54 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, the moment produced by the bowed leaf 58 is, of course increased. Accordingly, the pressure acting on the diaphragm 44 and the corresponding head of water in the tub necessary to effect disengagement of the contacts 54 and 55, are increased. In order to provide for adjustment of the contact '54, a spring arm 64 is provided for the support of the contact 54, which arm 64 is electrically secured to a terminal 64a fixed to the casing 42. The means for deflecting the spring arm 64 for the adjustment of the switch structure 43 is described hereinafter.

During the draining of water from the tub I3 by the pump 3i, the head of water in the tub and the corresponding pressure of the air in the air space 46 are reduced and when the pressure of the air has been reduced to a predetermined minimum value, the inherent bias of the leaf 56 overcomes the moment of the bowed leaf 58 so that the contacts 54 and 55 are again engaged.

The sequential operation of the various e1ectri cal translating devices associated with the washer is preferably automatically carried into effect and to this end a conventional motor driven timer 65 is employed. The timer 65 may be carried on the casing la in a convenient location and is adjustable by means of a handle 66 to start operation of the timer 65 and to vary the duration of the washing period. For convenience and brevity, the timer 65 is disclosed in Fig. 4 as a motor driven drum switch, the drum 6'! of which is shown in development and driven by a timer l motor 58 of the type commonly employed for driving clocks. It will be understood that the drum 6'! is rotated at a speed of one revolution in approximately forty minutes by means of a shaft 69 and a suitable clutch i0 connected thereto. As is well understood, the clutch I0 permits manual movement of the drum 6'! by the handle 66 independently of the motor 68 in order to initiate operation of the washer and to vary the duration of the washing period.

The drum 67 carries a plurality of electrically connected movable segments H to 19, inclusive. A plurality of stationary contact fingers 3| to 86, inclusive cooperate with the segments H to 19, inclusive to make and break circuits to the various electrical translating devices. The source of power for the apparatus is indicated by line conductors L1 and L2, the former of which is connected to the contact finger 8! and the latter of which is electrically connected to one terminal each of the motor 29, the pump magnet 38 and the. m n 26 o the two peed. mechanism 25.. It will be noted that the line conductor L2 is con nected' to one terminal of the solenoid operated water valve 22 through the contacts 54 and 55 of the pressure operated switch structure 43. The opposite terminals of the motor 29, the solenoid valve 22 and the magnets 38 and 26 are, respec tively, electrically connected to the contact fingers 82, 83, 84 and 85.

In operating the apparatus described up to the present, the fabrics to be treated are deposited in. the basket I5 through the access opening I I along with a suitable detergent and a door 81, to be refer-red to more in detail hereinafter, is. moved to a closed position. The drum 6] is moved by the. handle 99 to a starting position wherein the fingers BI, 82, and 83 respectively engage. segments- I,I, (.2- and I3. Accordingly, the motor 29 is energized to rotate the basket I5 at its washing speed, it being understood. that, at this time, the speed change magnet 25 is deenergized. Engagement. f the segment :3 and the finger 8-3 energices; the solenoid operated valve 22 which opens for the admission of water of the tub I3. Admission of water is terminated by the opening of the contacts 54 and 55 of the pressure operated switch 43, as described heretofore when, the proper head of water is provided in the tub I3. The washing period now progresses until the segment 7.5 engages the finger 84 for the energization of the pump solenoid38 and the. starting of the pump 3|. When substantially all. the water is. discharged from the tub I3 and the sump 33,,

the contacts 54 and 55 close, as described heretofore, but this isof no moment at present as the circuit of the solenoid valve 22 is open at the finger 83. During operation of the pump, the segment '11 engages the finger: 8 5 for energizing the two speed magnet 26 whereupon the two. speed mechanism 25 functions to rotate the basket I5 at; its high centrifuging speed for the extraction of washing fluid from the fabrics.

After aperiod of centrifuging, operation of the pump is terminated by a disengagement of the segment (.5 from the finger 84 and operation of the two speed mechanism. at its. low Washing speed is again initiated when the segment 11. is disconnected from the finger 85. At the same time:, segment I4 engages finger 83 for the admission of apredetermined quantity of rinse water to the tub- I3. Operation of the machine continues at its washing speed for rinsing the fabrics until engagement of segment I6 and finger; 84 and; consequent energization of the pump solenoid 39. During thev discharge of water from thetub I3, the final centrifuging is initiated by engagement'of; segment, I8 and finger 85 for the energization of the speed changemagnet 26. The cycle of operation is terminated when the timer motor 68 moves the drum 61' to the position shownin the drawing wherein all electrical circuits are deenergized. The door 81 may then be mQ ed: :0 its open position shown in broken lines inFigal and the damp-dried fabrics are removed from the basket I5.

In accordance with the present invention, means. is provided for adjusting the water level control mechanism M to provide different heads of water in the tub I3. in accordance with the As shown, the door 81, when moved to its.

one of which is shown at 88.. The bracket, 83 is pivoted on a bolt 89 which is fixed to a vertical angle iron 9| forming part of the casing structure and disposed rearwardly of the front wall I2 (see Figs. 2 and 3). It will be understood that second bracket 88 is arranged on the opposite side of the door (not shown) and is supported'in exactly the same manner as the bracket 88 in view.

Also pivoted on the bolt 89 is an adjusting arm. 92 for the pressure operated switch mechanism 43. The arm 92 is biased clockwise, as shown in Fig. 2, by a suitable compression spring 93. The arm 92 includes an insulated end portion having a camming surface 94 which engages, at all times, the end of the spring arm 64 and, therefore, determines the position of the contact 54 and the head of water in the tub I3 at which the contacts 54 and 55 are disengaged.

When moved to its horizontal position, the door BI engages the adjusting arm 92 and, to this end, a pin 95, carried by bracket 88 engages a seat 99 formed in the arm 92. The fabrics to be deposited in the basket I5 are piled on the door 81 which moves downwardly under the weight of the fabrics and in opposition to the-bias of thespring 93. This downward movement of the door 8.! is, of course, transmitted to the arm 92, the latter moving the spring arm 64 to the right a distance which varies directly with the weight of. the fabrics on the door. A fixed stop indicated; at I may be formed on the brace 9I for en gagement by the pin 95 in order to limit downward movement of the door'8I.

In order to retain the pressure operated switch,

mechanism 43 in its adjusted position after the fabrics have been removed from the door, a latching mechanism is employed. This latching mechanism includes a plurality of teeth 91, 89 and 99 preferably formed on the arm 92 and engageable by a catch IIII. With a relatively light load of fabrics not exceeding, for example, three pounds, the catch I9I engages the tooth 91. When a medium load of fabrics of, for example,

six pounds, is deposited on the door, the catch IZII will engage the tooth 98 and for. a heavy load of fabrics of, for example, nine pounds, the tooth 99 will be engaged by the catch NH.

The catch IOI is suitably supported on a core I02 of an electromagnet I93, which core IE2 is biased upwardly by a compression spring I04.

As shown, the electromagnet I03 is carried by a suitable bracket I05 supported by the angle iron brace 9|, which bracket I95 may also serve as a support for the pressure switch casing 42. The latch mechanism is released toward the. end of the washing and centrifuging program or, at least, subsequent to the final admission of water to the tub I3 in order to return the adjusting arm 92 and the spring arm 64 to their minimum load station. This operation in an automatically controlled machine is carried into effect by the segment I9 and the finger 86 which are-preferably engaged during the final centrifuging step in the program. From Fig. 4, it will be seen that thefinger- 86 is electrically connected to one terminal of the electromagnet I93, the opposite terminal of which is connected to the line conduc tor L2.

From the foregoing description, it is believed apparent that an improved washing machine of the domestic type is provided wherein the proper amount of washing water is admitted to the machine at all times for the amount or weight of fabrics deposited in the machine for treatment. This very. desirable operation is carried out by.

merelydepositing the fabrics on the weighing platform and then transferring the fabrics to the basket. Mental calculations or guesswork on the part of the operator are obviated. It will be understood that the particular type of washer shown herein is disclosed by way of example and that the invention may be applied equally well to variousfother types which may be automatically or manually controlled by carrying out a washing'or washing and centrifuging program.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without depart ing from the spirit thereof.

What'I claim is:

l. Ina machine for cleaning fabrics or the like, the combination of a tub structure for containing a body of cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting variable quantitles of cleaning fluid to the tub for the cleaning of batches of fabrics of different weights, said fluid admitting means including adjustable means movable from one station wherein a relatively small quantity of fluid is admitted to the tub to other stations wherein the quantity of fluid admitted to the tub is progressively increased, a weighing mechanism for supporting the batch of fabrics prior to its admission to the tub, means actuated by the weighing mechanism for adjusting said adjustable means to a station in response to the weight of the fabrics, means for latching the adjustable means in the station to which it is adjusted by the weighing mechanism, said latch ing means retaining the adjustable means in the station to which it is adjusted after the load of fabrics is removed from theweighing mechanism and means for releasing the latching means and for moving said adjustable means to said one station at the conclusion of a cleaning operation.

2. In a machine for cleaning fabrics or the like, the" combination of a tub for containing cleaning fluid and the fabric to be treated, means for conveying cleaning fluid to the tub and including a valve for controlling the new of fluid to the tub, means responsive to the admission of a predetermined amount of fluid in the tub for closing the valve and adjustable to different stations for varying the amount of fluid admitted to the tub, a weighing platform for fabrics to be admitted to the tub, means actuated by said platform and responsive to the weight of fabrics thereon for adjusting said valve closing means to one of said stations, means for latching the valve closing means in its adjusted station and means for subsequently unlatching the valve closing means,: the construction and arrangement being such that relatively large and small quantities of fluid" are admitted to the tub when relatively large and small quantities of fabrics to be cleaned are deposited on the platform respectively.

3.- In a machine for cleaning fabrics, the combination of a casing structure including a tub for containing a body of cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be treated, said casing structure having an access opening therein, a cover for the access opening and hinged to said casing for movement to a generally horizontal open position, said cover in said open position defining a weighing platform for the load of fabrics to be admitted to the tub, means for admitting fluid to the tub and adjustable to a plurality of stations wherein different quantities of fluid are admitted to the tub, means actuated by the weighing platform for adjusting said fluid admitting means in response to the weight'of the fabrics, latching means for retaining the fluid admitting means in its adjusted position after the fabrics are removed from the Weighing platform, and means for subsequently releasing the latching means at the conclusion of a cleaning operation.

4. In a machine for cleaning fabrics, the combination of a casingstructure including a tub for containing a body of washing water and the fabrics to be cleaned, said casing structure having an access opening formed therein, means for cleaning the fabrics in said water, means for admitting water to the tub, means for draining water from the tub, a sequence control device for sequentially operating the cleaning means, the water admission means and the draining means to provide a predetermined program of steps in a Washing cycle, an adjustable water level control mechanism for terminating operation of the water admission means in response to predetermined amounts of water in the tub and including means biasing the adjustable control mechanism to one station wherein a relatively small amount of water is admitted to the club, said adjustable control mechanism being movable to another station in opposition to the biasing means for increasing the amount of water admitted to the tub, a door for closing said access opening and movable to a generally horizontally open position on the casing structure, said door in said horizontal position defining a weighing platform for receiving a batch of fabrics prior to their admission to the tub, means connecting said platform and said adjustable water level control mechanism, said platform being movable downwardly under the weight of the fabrics placed thereon in opposition to said biasing means for adjusting said water level control mechanism from said one position, latching means for retaining the adjustable water level control mechanism in its adjusted position after the fabrics are removed from the platform and means actuated by said sequence control device for releasing the latching means toward the conclusion of the Washing cycle.

5. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics or the like, the combination of a casing structure including a tub for containing a body of cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be cleaned, said casing strucpredetermined amount of fluid in said tub for closing said valve and including an adjusting member movable for varying the amount of fluid delivered to the tub, means biasing the adjust ing member to a station wherein a minimum quantity of fluid is admitted to the tub, said door and adjusting member being engaged in the open position of the door for adjustment of the valve closing means in response to the weight of the fabrics deposited upon the door, latching means for retaining said adjusting member in its adjusted position after the fabrics are removed from the door and means for releasing the latching means subsequent to the final admission of fluid to the tub during a cleaning operation.

WILLIAM A. JOHNSTON.

No references cited. 

